Inkwell Management YA & Children's Spring 2021

InkWell Management YA & Children’s Spring 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Young Adult

Felicity Castagna ...... Girls in Boys’ Cars ...... 8 Clayton Comber ...... 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze ...... 9 Zoraida Cordova ...... Incendiary & Illusionary ...... 10 Cath Crowley ...... Take Three Girls ...... 11 Dylan Farrow ...... Hush ...... 12 Tara Goedjen...... No Beauties or Monsters ...... 13 Courtney Gould ...... The Dead and the Dark ...... 14 Sara Holland ...... Havenfall & Phoenix Flame ...... 15 Marti Leimbach ...... Dragonfly Girl ...... 16 Tobias Madden ...... Anything But Fine ...... 17 Lizzy Mason ...... Between the Bliss and Me ...... 18 Lauren Morrill ...... It’s Kind of a Cheesy Love Story ...... 19 Malla Nunn ...... Sugar Town Queens ...... 20 Farah Rishi ...... It All Comes Back to You ...... 21 Andrea Robertson ...... Forged in Fire and Stars & Cast in Secrets and Shadows ...... 22 Allison Saft ...... Down Comes the Night ...... 23 Jasper Sanchez ...... The (Un)Popular Vote ...... 24 Gavriel Savit ...... The Way Back ...... 25 Eliot Schrefer...... The Darkness Outside Us ...... 26 Tara Sim ...... Scavenge the Stars & Ravage the Dark ...... 27 Krystal Sutherland ...... House of Hollow ...... 28 Darcy Woods ...... Smoke ...... 29 Jeff Zentner ...... In the Wild Light ...... 30

Middle Grade

Ethan M. Aldridge ...... The Legend of Brightblade ...... 32 Betsy Bird & David Small ...... Long Road to the Circus ...... 33 Gabrielle K. Byrne ...... The Edge of Strange Hollow ...... 34 Karan Foxlee ...... Dragon Skin...... 35 Minh Lê ...... Enlighten Me ...... 36 Jessica Miller ...... The Republic of Birds ...... 37 Laura Amy Schlitz...... Amber and Clay ...... 38 Lindsey Stoddard ...... Bea is for Blended ...... 39

Picture Books

Lisa Graff & Christophe Jacques ...... Mr. Walker Steps Out ...... 41 Lesley-Anne Green ...... Mr. Mole Moves In ...... 42 IN THEIR OWN WORDS… Videos from InkWell’s YA and Children’s Authors!

Young Adult

Felicity Castagna (Page 8) Clayton Comber (Page 9) GIRLS IN BOYS’ CARS 100 REMARKABLE FEATS OF XANDER MAZE Click here for a video from Felicity! Click here for a video from Clayton!

Tara Goedjen (Page 13) Courtney Gould (Page 14) NO BEAUTIES OR MONSTERS THE DEAD AND THE DARK Click here for a video from Tara! Click here for a video from Courtney!

Marti Leimbach (Page 16) Tobias Madden (Page 17) DRAGONFLY GIRL ANYTHING BUT FINE Click here for a video from Marti! Click here for a video from Tobias!

Malla Nunn (Page 20) Allison Saft (Page 23) SUGAR TOWN QUEENS DOWN COMES THE NIGHT Click here for a video from Malla! Click here for a video from Allison!

Gavriel Savit (Page 25) Elliot Schrefer (Page 26) THE WAY BACK THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE US Click here for a video from Gavriel! Click here for a video from Elliot!

Krystal Sutherland (Page 28) Darcy Woods (Page 29) HOUSE OF HOLLOW SMOKE Click here for a video from Krystal! Click here for a video from Darcy!

Middle Grade

Ethan M. Aldridge (Page 32) Betsy Bird & David Small (Page 33) THE LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS Click here for a video from Ethan! Click here for a video from Betsy!

Minh Lê (Page 36) Jessica Miller (Page 37) ENLIGHTEN ME THE REPUBLIC OF BIRDS Click here for a video from Minh! Click here for a video from Jessica!

Lindsey Stoddard (Page 39) BEA IS FOR BLENDED Click here for a video from Lindsey!

Young Adult

Felicity Castagna

GIRLS IN BOYS’ CARS

Praise for No More Boats:

"No More Boats is a book that should be read slowly and considerately, because every detail is signifi- cant. It's an engaging and gripping second novel from Castagna...and one can only hope that there's more of the same still to come." —Westerly Magazine

Rosa was never really trying to hurt anyone, no matter what they said in court.

But she's ended up in juvenile jail anyway, living her life through books and wondering why her best mate Asheeka disappeared.

A complicated friendship.

A road trip in a stolen car.

The stories that define us.

And two funny, sharp, adventurous young women who refuse to be held back any longer.

Felicity Castagna’s first novel for Young Adults, The Incredible Here and Now, received the Prime Minister’s Award for Literature, was named the IBBY Honour Book for Australia and was a finalist for the CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers. Her latest book, No More Boats, was a finalist in the Miles Franklin Award and published internationally. Felicity has written for the stage and radio and her essays frequently appear in magazines and journals. She also loves creating cross-artform and collaborative work with other artists and has helped to make a lot of wild big things for many major festivals, art galleries and outdoor spaces. Outside of writing she teaches writing, talks about writing and helps to run a lot of storytelling, mentor- ship and art projects. ANZ: Pan Macmillan (August 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton Editor: Claire Craig Format: Manuscript

Clayton Comber

100 REMARKABLE FEATS OF XANDER MAZE

‘This is a sharp, funny and engrossing novel about the lists we make in order to survive, to remind us of who we are and who we love. Xander’s remarkable feats show how the past always unexpectedly pops its head up into the present in delightful and devastating ways. This book is a gift to young people who need new ways of thinking about the world and their place within it.’ —Felicity Castagna, author of The Incredible Here and Now

Xander Maze is a list-maker. But can his list of 100 Remarkable Feats really save his nanna?

Xander Maze loves lists, and his grandmother is #1 in his list of People I Love Most in the World. But now that Nanna has stage 4 cancer, can a new list of 100 Remarkable Feats really save her life?

Particularly when his list contains difficult things like #2 Make a Friend and #3 Make a Best Friend.

Funny, moving and with a protagonist you can't help but fall in love with, 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze is:

#1 Heartbreaking #2 Heartwarming and a book about defying the odds, not accepting the unacceptable, and one boy's uncondi- tional love for his nanna.

Clayton Zane Comber is a writer from the South Coast of NSW, who has held many varied roles, including a lawyer, an optical dispenser, a club DJ, creative writing tutor and saxopho- nist in a Chinese restaurant. He received his MA from Sydney University, before studying in the UK and graduating from Oxford University with distinction from his Masters in Creative Writing. In 2017, Clayton’s varied roles eventuated in him opening Bouquiniste Bookstore Ca- fé Bar, where he is the licensee, book curator, occasional DJ and head dishwasher. His debut novel Shooting Stars was published by Odyssey Books in 2011. ANZ: HarperCollins Australia (June 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton Editor: Lisa Berryman Format: Manuscript 9

Zoraida Cordova

INCENDIARY & ILLUSIONARY

Praise for Incendiary:

“...This is a work of impeccable pacing, made even more impressive by the way Córdova frontloads several dramatic tragedies and then masterfully spools out hints and secrets that disrupt the reader perception of those events and add a further layer of intrigue...” —BCCB (starred review)

In Incendiary, Renata was a child when she was kidnapped by the King's Justice and brought to the palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, Renata's ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King's Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people. Now Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown and helping the remaining Moria escape the kingdom bent on their destruction. When Dez, the commander of her unit—and the boy she's grown to love—is taken captive by the notorious Sangrado Prince, Renata must return to the palace and complete Dez's top secret mission herself. Can she con- vince her former captors that she remains loyal, even as she burns for vengeance against the brutal prince? Her life and the fate of the Moria depend on it.

In Illusionary, Renata Convida is a girl on the run. With few options and fewer allies, she's re- luctantly joined forces with none other than Prince Castian, her most infuriating and intriguing enemy. They're united by lofty goals: find the fabled Knife of Memory, kill the ruthless King Fernando, and bring peace to the nation. Together, Ren and Castian have a chance to save everything, if only they can set aside their complex and intense feelings for each other.

With the king's forces on their heels at every turn, their quest across Puerto Leones and beyond leaves little room for mistakes. But the greatest danger is within Ren. The Gray, her for- tress of stolen memories, has begun to crumble, threatening her grip on reality. She'll have to control her magics—and her mind—to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all. For years, she was wielded as weapon. Now it's her time to fight back.

Zoraida Córdova is the award-winning author of Star Wars: A Crash of Fate, the Brooklyn Brujas series, and The Vicious Deep trilogy. Her short fiction has appeared in the New York Times bestselling anthology Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View, and Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women and Witchcraft. Zoraida was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. 10 North America: Little, Brown Germany: Carlsen Agent: Stephen Barbara Incendiary (April 2020) Poland: Iuvi (Incendiary) Editor: Alexandra Hightower Illusionary (May 2021) Turkey: Epsilon (Incendiary) Format: Finished Book / Manuscript UK: Hodder & Stoughton

Cath Crowley & Simmone Howell & Fiona Wood

TAKE THREE GIRLS

"Readers who are experiencing tough times will connect with the characters, who are strong and resili- ent. Each girl’s character growth, interests, and how she overcomes challenges is relatable. . . . This story will keep readers wondering who is behind the gossip while addressing important teen issues and prov- ing how essential friendship is when dealing with difficult situations." —School Library Journal

Three authors. Three appealing and relatable characters. One smart YA novel about a trio of unlikely friends who team up to take down the school cyberbully.

Popular Ady seems cool and confident at school, but at home her family is falling apart. Braini- ac Kate wants to pursue her dreams of playing music, even if it jeopardizes her academic scholarship. And swim champ Clem finds herself disenchanted with the sport . . . and falling for a very wrong boy. When these three very different girls are forced to team up in a wellness class, they’re not too pleased. But over time, they bond—and when they’re all targeted by PSST, a website that dishes out malicious gossip and lies, they decide to take a stand, uncover the culprits, and fight back. But can they really fix a broken system? With each girl’s story told by a different author, as well as intriguing questionnaires from the wellness class included throughout, this empowering novel explores today’s most relevant topics— from cyberbully- ing and fat shaming to drug abuse and financial stress.

Cath Crowley is the award-winning author of Words in Deep Blue, Graffiti Moon, and A Little Wanting Song. She lives in Avoca, Australia. Visit her online at cathcrowleyauthor.com, and on Instagram @cathcrowleybooks.

Simmone Howell is the award-winning author of Girl Defective, Everything Beautiful, and Notes from the Teenage Underground. She lives in Melbourne, Australia. Follow her on Twitter @Postteen.

Fiona Wood is the award-winning author of Wildlife, Six Impossible Things, and Cloudwish. She lives in Melbourne, Australia and can be found online at fionawood.com and on Twitter @f_i_o_n_a_w_. ANZ: Pan Macmillan Australia (August 2017) Agent: Catherine Drayton 11 US & UK: Sterling (April 2021) Editor: Suzy Capozzi & Melissa Francis Format: Book

Dylan Farrow HUSH

"In this cruel, beautiful realm, all reading and writing as well as select spoken words are strictly forbidden to the lower classes, while the elite of Montane, called Bards, are skilled in the powerful magic of Telling — a form of reality-altering sorcery based in the use of language... The novel speaks brilliantly to the many ills of 2020." —Entertainment Weekly

They use magic to silence the world. Who will break the hush?

Seventeen-year-old Shae has led a seemingly quiet life, joking with her best friend Fiona, and chatting with Mads, the neighborhood boy who always knows how to make her smile. All while secretly keeping her fears at bay… Of the disease that took her brother’s life. Of how her dreams seem to bleed into reality around her. Of a group of justice seekers called the Bards who claim to use the magic of Telling to keep her community safe.

When her mother is murdered, she can no longer pretend. Not knowing who to trust, Shae journeys to unlock the truth, instead finding a new enemy keen to destroy her, a brooding boy with dark secrets, and an untold power she never thought possible. A powerful fantasy where one girl is determined to remake the world.

*The sequel to Hush, Veil, is coming Spring 2022!*

Dylan Farrow is a writer, mother, and activist for survivors of sexual assault. Growing up in both New York City and rural Connecticut, she spent countless hours drawing and writing for pleasure. After graduating from Bard College she found a position at CNN as a production assistant and later moved into graphic design. Soon, however, she felt that neither were her calling. After getting married, Dylan returned to writing full time, exploring her love of YA fantasy. Hush is her debut novel. North America: Wednesday Books/St. Martins Press (October 2020) Agent: Stephen Barbara France: J’ai Lu Editor: Vicki Lame Germany: Loewe Format: Book Latin America: Editorial Planeta Mexico Russia: Exmo

Tara Goedjen NO BEAUTIES OR MONSTERS

"Mind-bending and wholly engrossing—I couldn't read it fast enough!" —Kayla Olson, author of The Sandcastle Empire and This Splintered Silence

For fans of Rory Power and Stranger Things comes an all-new, hair-raising mystery about a girl whose family secrets are as threatening as the desert that surrounds her—but whose quest to expose the truth may tear apart reality itself.

Rylie hasn’t been back to Twentynine Palms since her dad died. She left a lot of memories out there, buried in the sand of the Mojave Desert. Memories about her dad, her old friends Na- than and Lily, and most of all, her enigmatic grandfather, a man who cut ties with Rylie’s family before he passed away. But her mom’s new work assignment means their family has to move, and now Rylie’s in the one place she never wanted to return to, living in the house of a grandfather she barely knew.

At least her old friends are happy to welcome her home. Well, some of them, anyway. Lily is gone, vanished into the desert. And Twentynine Palms is so much stranger than Rylie remem- bers. There are whispers around town of a mysterious killer on the loose, but it isn’t just Twentynine Palms that feels off—there’s something wrong with Rylie, too. She’s seeing things she can’t explain. Visions of monstrous creatures that stalk the night.

Somehow, it all seems to be tied to her grandfather and the family cabin he left behind. Rylie wants the truth, but she doesn’t know if she can trust herself. Are the monsters in her head really out there? Or could it be that the deadliest thing in the desert . . . is Rylie herself?

Tara Goedjen has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Alabama and grew up in the South. She is the author of The Breathless and No Beauties or Monsters. To find out more about Tara and her novel, follow @TaraGoedjen on Twitter. North America: Delacorte Press/PRH (December 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton Editor: Krista Marino Format: Manuscript

Courtney Gould THE DEAD AND THE DARK

"Something for everyone: thrills, chills, a mystery that'll keep readers guessing and a romance they'll absolutely love rooting for...A riveting, spooky and expertly-crafted debut from a talented new voice in YA fiction." —Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie

A thrilling YA debut about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t re- main hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.

The Dark has been waiting―and it won't stay hidden any longer.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just come to town.

Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV's ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before. But the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there's more than ghosts plaguing this small town. Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his ghost following her ever since. Although everyone shuns the Ortiz-Woodleys, the mysterious Logan may be the only person who can help Ashley get some answers.

When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who―or what―is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness

Courtney Gould graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2016 with a degree in Creative Writing and Publishing. She was born and raised in Salem, Oregon, but now lives and works in Tacoma, Washington. She continues to write love letters to the Pacific Northwest and all of its mysteries. North America: Wednesday Books/St. Martins Press (August 2021) Agent: Claire Friedman & Jessica Mileo Editor: Jennie Conway Format: Galley 14

Sara Holland HAVENFALL & PHOENIX FLAME

Praise for Havenfall:

“Holland is no stranger to intricate worlds, as readers who loved Everless and its sequel will remember, and this new series starter is equally compelling.” —Booklist

Sara Holland takes the lush fantasy that captured readers in Everless and Evermore and weaves it into the real world to create a wholly captivating new series where power and peril lurk behind every door.

In Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds together lies hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado. For generations, the Inn at Havenfall has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return. For Maddie Morrow, Haven- fall is an escape from reality. It's where Maddie fell in love with handsome Fiorden soldier Brekken. And it's where one day she hopes to inherit the role of Innkeeper from her beloved uncle. But with a dead body, Brekken missing, her uncle gravely injured, and a dangerous creature on the loose, Maddie suddenly finds herself responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall…

Phoenix Flame finds Maddie thinking her problems were solved. She saved the Inn at Havenfall from the evil Silver Prince. And her uncle is slowly recovering from a mysterious spell that has left him not quite human. But Maddie soon realizes there's more work to be done to protect her family’s Inn. While embarking on a dangerous mission, Maddie uncovers family secrets that could change everything. What if saving everyone means destroying the only home she's known?

*Now in development as a TV series with Amazon Studios!*

Sara Holland grew up in between small-town Minnesota and the fictional worlds of books. She graduated from Wesleyan University and worked in a tea shop, a dentist’s office, and a state capitol building before heading to New York to work in publishing. These days, she can be found exploring bookstores or finding new ways to put caffeine in her bloodstream. World English: Bloomsbury Holland: Blossom Books Agent: Stephen Barbara Havenfall (March 2020) Romania: Nemira (Havenfall) Editor: Sarah Shumway Phoenix Flame (March 2021) Spain: Ediciones Urano Format: Book 15 France: Bayard Editions

Marti Leimbach DRAGONFLY GIRL

"A thrilling debut with a heroine to root for and an excellent story that will keep surprising readers." —School Library Journal

In this spellbinding thriller and YA debut from bestselling author Marti Leimbach, Kira Ad- ams has discovered a cure for death—and it may just cost her life.

Things aren’t going well for Kira. At home, she cares for her mother and fends off debt collec- tors. At school, she’s awkward and shy. Plus, she may flunk out if she doesn’t stop obsessing about science, her passion and the one thing she’s good at...very good at.

When she wins a prestigious science contest she draws the attention of the celebrated profes- sor Dr. Gregory Munn (as well as his handsome assistant), leading to a part-time job in a top- secret laboratory.

The job is mostly cleaning floors and equipment, but one night, while running her own experi- ment, she revives a lab rat that has died in her care. Except, one minute it is dead, the next it is not.

Suddenly she’s the remarkable wunderkind, the girl who can bring back the dead. Everything is going her way. But it turns out that science can be a dangerous business, and Kira is swept up into a world of international rivalry with dark forces that threaten her life.

Marti Leimbach is a fiction writer and a core tutor at Oxford University’s creative writing pro- gram; she is best known for her international bestseller, Dying Young, which was made into a major motion picture. She is also the author of The Man from Saigon and Daniel Isn’t Talking, among other novels. This is her first YA novel. North America: Katherine Tegen Books (February 2021) Agent: Kim Witherspoon France: Pocket Jeunesse Editor: Katherine Tegen Format: Book

Tobias Madden ANYTHING BUT FINE

Luca Mason’s audition for the Australian Ballet School is exactly six months, thirteen days, and sixteen hours away. All that stands between him and the rest of his life is a few perfect pliés, a couple impeccable tendus, and a handful of flawless jetés. And Luca has them down – he’s been training for this moment for over a decade.

Until one missed step on a flight of stairs lands Luca in the hospital with a titanium plate screwed into his foot. No mobility in his foot means no more ballet. And no more ballet means no more prestigious arts scholarship, no more “Bunheads” group chats, and no more perfect future.

But it’s not all bad – as Luca settles into a life of doctor’s appointments, unwieldy crutches, and absolutely no ballet (and no, he does not want to talk about it) he strikes up an unlikely friendship with the perfect-in-every-way rowing star of his new school, Jordan Tanaka-Jones. Jordan is gorgeous, popular, and (unfortunately) straight. Or, at least, people think he is – the flirty texts he’s been sending Luca seem to suggest otherwise.

As Luca and Jordan get closer, Luca begins to wonder: who is he without ballet? And how long can he stand being a skeleton in someone else’s closet?

Tobias Madden is a writer and editor from Sydney, Australia. Originally from Ballarat, Victo- ria, he worked for ten years as a dancer, touring Australia and New Zealand with musicals such as Mary Poppins, CATS, Singin' in the Rain, and Guys and Dolls. In 2019, Tobias edited and published Underdog: #LoveOzYA Short Stories, the first #LoveOzYA anthology for previ- ously unpublished Aussie young adult fiction writers. Tobias is a passionate member of the #LoveOzYA and LGBTQ+ communities, and he currently works for Bloomsbury Australia as a Digital Marketing Executive and YA Publicist. ANZ: Penguin Australia (August 2021) Agent: Claire Friedman US & UK: Page Street Press (Winter 2022) Editor: Tamara Grasty (US) Zoe Walton (ANZ) Format: Manuscript

Lizzy Mason BETWEEN THE BLISS AND ME

"Lizzy Mason has done it again. Between the Bliss and Me is an eye-opening look at the impact of mental illness on the mentally ill, their families, and society. Sydney's story is so compelling and real, I couldn't put this book down." —Brigid Kemmerer, author of A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Acclaimed author Lizzy Mason delivers a moving contemporary YA novel about mental illness, young romance, and the impact of family history on one teen’s future, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson, Robin Benway, and Kathleen Glasgow.

When eighteen-year-old Sydney Holman announces that she's accepted a large financial gift from her grandparents and has decided to attend NYU, her family is shocked. Her decision means she will be living in the Big City instead of commuting to Rutgers like her mom had hoped. It also means she'll be close to off-limits but dreamy Grayson—a guitar prodigy who is going to Juilliard in the fall and very much isn't single.

But while she dreams of her new life, Sydney discovers a world-changing truth about her past: the story she believed about her father, who left when she was little due to a drug addiction, is not the whole story—he has schizophrenia and is currently living on the streets of New York City. While she considers reconnecting with a father she never really knew, Sydney also learns that there's a statistical chance that she will develop schizophrenia within the next few years.

Even as she continues to fall for Grayson, Sydney is faced with a difficult decision: Should she stay close to home so her mom can watch over her, or follow the desire to take risks and discover her true self?

Lizzy Mason grew up in northern Virginia before moving to New York City for college and a career in publishing. She recently returned to her hometown in Virginia, and lives with her cat in an apartment full of books. She is the Director of Marketing & Publicity at Page Street Kids. She is the author of The Art of Losing. World English: Soho Press (April 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Daniel Ehrenhaft Format: Book 18

Lauren Morrill IT’S KIND OF A CHEESY LOVE STORY

“There's no better escape than a sweet — and savory — romance.” ―US Weekly “Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2021”

A delicious love story with all the toppings, Lauren Morrill's It's Kind of a Cheesy Love Story is a contemporary YA rom-com about love, friendship, and pizza, perfect for fans of Becky Al- bertalli and Jenny Han.

After her mother gave birth to her in the bathroom of a local pizzeria, Beck has been given the dubious privilege of having minor fame, free pizza for life, and a guaranteed job when she turns sixteen—a job she unfortunately can’t afford to turn down.

Now she's stuck with her geeky co-workers instead of taking Instagram-ready shots with her best friends (and her epic crush).

But maybe the pizza people aren't all bad. Maybe that pizza delivery guy is kind of cute. And maybe there's a way to make this Bathroom Baby thing work for her. Because when dis- aster strikes the beloved pizza place that's started to feel like home, she's going to need a miracle―one that might even mean bringing her two worlds together.

Lauren Morrill is the author of six YA novels. NPR called her last novel, Better Than the Best Plan, “a perfect summer read." Mashable called her “one of those rare authors who tweets more about others’ books than her own,” but her publicist would like her to tweet a little bit more about her own books. She’s working on it. Lauren grew up in Maryville, Tennessee, graduated with two degrees from Indiana University, spent four years playing roller derby in Boston, and now lives in Macon, Georgia, with her husband and two sons. World English: FSG Children’s (March 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Trisha de Guzman Format: Book

Malla Nunn SUGAR TOWN QUEENS

Praise for When the Ground is Hard:

"The gorgeous imagery sets the scene wonderfully … an engrossing narrative that gently but directly explores complex relationships." —Kirkus Reviews

Fifteen-year-old Amandla’s mother has always been strange. For starters, she’s a white woman living in Sugar Town, one of South Africa’s infamous shanty towns. She won’t tell anyone, not even Amandla, about her past. But she does one day promise the return of Amandla’s father, especially after one of her visions. The latest is if Amandla would only wear a bedsheet on the last day of school, her father would surely come back home—as if he were a prince and this was the fairytale ending they were destined for. Their hardscrabble reality couldn’t be more different. Amandla knows her father is long gone—since before Amandla was born—and even though her mother’s memory of him is hazy, Amandla is pretty sure he’s not a prince. He’s just another mystery and missing piece of her mother’s past and one of the many reasons people in Sugar Town give them strange looks—that and the fact that Amandla is black and her mother is not.

Lately her mother has been acting even more strangely, so when Amandla finds a mysterious address at the bottom of her mother’s purse along with a large amount of cash, she decides it’s finally time to get answers about her mother’s life. With her best friends by her side, Amandla is ready to take on the devil, himself, and as she confronts devastating family secrets and a pain that has lasted a generation, taking on the devil is exactly what she must do. A stunning portrait of a family divided and a powerful story of how friendship saves and heals.

Malla Nunn was born and raised in Swaziland. Her adult crime books have earned her two Edgar nominations and a RUSA Award for Best Mystery Novel. Her first young adult novel, When the Ground is Hard, won the L.A. Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature and the Josette Frank Award for Children's Literature. After earning a master's degree in Theatre Studies, she dabbled in acting in New York City, worked as a cocktail waitress, a nanny, a bookseller, and on film sets, but never at the same time.

World English: Putnam/PRH (August 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton 20 Editor: Stacey Barney Format: Manuscript

Farah Rishi IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU

Praise for I Hope You Get This Message:

“I couldn’t look away from Farah Naz Rishi’s stunning debut that shows humanity in all its many shades of truth.” —Adam Silvera, New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End

After Kiran Noorani’s mom died, Kiran vowed to keep her dad and sister, Amira, close. Then out of the blue, Amira announces that she’s dating someone and might move cross- country with him. Kiran is thrown.

Deen Malik is thrilled that his older brother Faisal has found a great girlfriend, even if it’s getting serious quickly. Maybe now their parents’ focus will shift off Deen, who feels intense pressure to be the perfect son.

When Deen and Kiran come face to face, they silently agree to keep their past a secret. Three years ago—before Amira and Faisal met—Kiran and Deen dated. But Deen ghosted Kiran with no explanation. Kiran will stop at nothing to find out what happened, and Deen will do anything, even if it means sabotaging his brother’s relationship, to keep her from reaching the truth. Though the chemistry between Kiran and Deen is undeniable, can either of them take down their walls?

*I Hope You Get This Message is now in development with Amazon Studios, with Farah writing the script!*

Farah Naz Rishi is a Pakistani American Muslim writer and voice actor, but in another life, she’s worked stints as a lawyer, a video game journalist, and an editorial assistant. She is the author of I Hope You Get This Message (Harper Teen). She received her BA in English from Bryn Mawr College, her JD from Lewis & Clark Law School, and her love of weaving stories from the Odyssey Writing Workshop. When she’s not writing, she’s probably hanging out with video game characters. North America: Quill Tree Books/Harper Collins (September 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Alexandra Cooper 21 Format: Manuscript

Andrea Robertson

FORGED IN FIRE AND STARS & CAST IN SECRETS AND SHADOWS

Praise for Forged in Fire and Stars:

"An epic and classic fantasy set in a bleak world with a journey to save it all. Purchase for libraries with fans of fantasies like Holly Black’s Cruel Prince and Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows." —School Library Journal

In Forged in Fire and Stars, Ara has always known the legend of the Loresmith: the blacksmith who served alongside the kings and queens of Saetlund, forging legendary weapons to arm warriors and protect the kingdom. She's been told it's her fate to inherit the title and become the next Loresmith. But since the monarchy's downfall in a vicious conquest years before, Ara has never truly believed she would be able to take up her duty.

But when the lost Princess Nimhea and Prince Eamon steal Ara from her quiet life with a mission to retake the throne and return Ara to her place as the Loresmith—Ara's whole world turns upside down. Suddenly, Ara must leave her small mountain village and embark on a dangerous adventure where she will uncover new truths about her family's legacy, and even face the gods themselves.

In Cast in Secrets and Shadows, Ara has taken up her mantle as the Loresmith--but her journey is far from over. After suffering betrayals and losses, Ara, Nimhea, Lahvja, and Teth must try to come together and find the Loreknights across the kingdom. The Loreknights are their only hope in overthrowing the evil Vokkans and putting Nimhea on the throne for good. Only Ara can forge a way forward, take up her powers, and fight to change the world--no matter what it costs.

Andrea Robertson is the internationally bestselling author of the Nightshade series and of Invisibility, which she co-wrote with David Levithan. She is also the author of the Inventor's Secret trilogy. Originally from Minnesota, she now lives in California. North America: Philomel Agent: Charlie Olsen Forged in Fire and Stars (May 2020) Editor: Jill Santopolo Cast in Secrets and Shadows (July 2021) Format: Book/Manuscript

Allison Saft DOWN COMES THE NIGHT

“Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s “Grisha Trilogy” and Marie Rutkoski’s “Winner’s Trilogy” have been waiting for this Darkling-esque romance.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

He saw the darkness in her magic. She saw the magic in his darkness.

Wren Southerland’s reckless use of magic has cost her everything: dismissed from the Queen’s Guard and separated from her best friend—the girl she loves. So when a letter arrives from a reclusive lord, asking Wren to come to his estate, Colwick Hall, to cure his servant from a mysterious illness, she seizes her chance to redeem herself.

The mansion is crumbling, icy winds haunt the caved-in halls, and her eccentric host forbids her from leaving her room after dark. Worse, Wren’s patient isn’t a servant at all but Hal Cav- endish, the infamous Reaper of Vesria and her kingdom’s sworn enemy. Hal also came to Col- wick Hall for redemption, but the secrets in the estate may lead to both of their deaths.

With sinister forces at work, Wren and Hal realize they’ll have to join together if they have any hope of saving their kingdoms. But as Wren circles closer to the nefarious truth behind Hal’s illness, they realize they have no escape from the monsters within the mansion. All they have is each other, and a startling desire that could be their downfall.

Love makes monsters of us all.

Allison Saft was born in a Philadelphia blizzard and has been chasing the sun ever since. Af- ter receiving her MA in English Literature from Tulane University, she moved from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast, where she spends her time hiking the redwoods and practicing aerial silks. Down Comes the Night is her debut novel. North America: Wednesday Books/St. Martins Press (March 2021) Agents: Claire Friedman & Jessica Mileo Editor: Jennie Conway Format: Book

Jasper Sanchez THE (UN)POPULAR VOTE

“Jasper Sanchez’s debut is mind-boggingly good...I laughed, I cried, I rooted for Mark all the way. With everything that’s happening in the world right now politically, this is a novel that every teen needs.” —Kacen Callender, author of Hurricane Child

Red, White, & Royal Blue meets The West Wing in Jasper Sanchez’s electric and insightful #ownvoices YA debut, chronicling a transmasculine student’s foray into a no-holds-barred student body president election against the wishes of his politician father.

Optics can make or break an election. Everything Mark knows about politics, he learned from his father, the Congressman who still pretends he has a daughter and not a son.

Mark has promised to keep his past hidden and pretend to be the cis guy everyone assumes he is. But when he sees a manipulatively charming candidate for student body president inflame dangerous rhetoric, Mark risks his low profile to become a political challenger.

The problem? No one really knows Mark. He didn’t grow up in this town, and his few friends are all nerds. Still, thanks to Scandal and The West Wing, they know where to start: from campaign stops to voter polling to a fashion makeover.

Soon Mark feels emboldened to engage with voters—and even start a new romance. But with an investigative journalist digging into his past, a father trying to silence him, and the bully frontrunner standing in his way, Mark will have to decide which matters most: perception or truth, when both are just as dangerous.

Jasper Sanchez is Seattle-based transmasculine author with a commitment to telling authentic trans stories. His short fiction has been published in Mithila Review, Foglifter, and Plenitude. Although he never ran for office at his small town high school, he lost a sixth grade student council election by historic margins. Even his campaign manager voted against him. World English: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins (June 2021) Agent: Claire Friedman Editor: Mabel Hsu Format: Galley

Gavriel Savit THE WAY BACK

*Shortlisted for the National Book Award & Winner of the National Jewish Book Award*

"A bewitching allegorical adventure comprised of small, beautifully composed moments.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Perfect for readers of Neil Gaiman and Philip Pullman, a sweeping historical fantasy that fol- lows two teens on a journey through the Far Country, a Jewish land of spirits and demons.

For the Jews of Eastern Europe, demons are everywhere: dancing on the rooftops in the darkness of midnight, congregating in the trees, harrowing the dead, even reaching out to try and steal away the living.

But the demons have a land of their own: a Far Country peopled with the souls of the transient dead, governed by demonic dukes, barons, and earls. When the Angel of Death comes strolling through the little shtetl of Tupik one night, two young people will be sent spinning off on a journey through the Far Country. There they will make pacts with ancient demons, de- clare war on Death himself, and maybe—just maybe—find a way to make it back alive.

Drawing inspiration from the Jewish folk tradition, The Way Back is a dark adventure sure to captivate readers of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust.

Gavriel Savit holds a BFA in musical theater from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he grew up. As an actor and singer, Gavriel has performed on three continents, from New York to Brussels to Tokyo. He is also the author of Anna and the Swallow Man, which the New York Times called "a splendid debut," and was the ABA Book of the Year. World English: Knopf (November 2020) Agent: Catherine Drayton Italy: Bompiani Editor: Erin Clarke Romania: Editura Art Format: Book Russia: Knizhniki

Eliot Schrefer THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE US

“Absolutely brilliant. The Darkness Outside Us is a pulse-pounding thriller, engrossing science fiction epic, and heartfelt meditation on love all at once.” —Malinda Lo, Author of Ash

Two boys, alone in space...

After the first settler on Titan trips her distress signal, neither remaining country on Earth can afford to scramble a rescue of its own, and so two sworn enemies are installed in the same spaceship.

Ambrose wakes up on the Coordinated Endeavor, with no memory of a launch. There’s more that doesn’t add up: evidence indicates strangers have been on board, the ship’s operating system is voiced by his mother, and his handsome, brooding shipmate has barricaded himself away. Nothing will stop Ambrose from making his mission succeed, though—not when the settler he’s rescuing is his own sister.

In order to survive the ship’s secrets, Ambrose and Kodiak will need to work together and learn to trust one another… especially once they discover that they are up against larger forces than they had ever considered. Love might be the only way to survive.

A mind-bending mystery, celebrating how the human capacity for love burns bright even when surrounded by unthinkable deception.

Eliot Schrefer is a New York Times-bestselling author, and has twice been a finalist for the Na- tional Book Award. He is also the author of two novels for adults and four other novels for children and young adults. His books have been named to the NPR “best of the year” list, the ALA best fiction list for young adults, and the Chicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best.” His work has also been selected to the Amelia Bloomer List, recognizing best feminist books for young readers, and he has been a finalist for the Walden Award and won the Green Earth Book Award and Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. North American: HarperCollins Children's (June 2021) Agent: Richard Pine Editor: Ben Rosenthal Format: Manuscript 26

Tara Sim SCAVENGE THE STARS & RAVAGE THE DARK

Praise for Scavenge the Stars:

“A rags-to-riches story with the promise of revenge...Captivating worldbuilding and empathetically etched characters make Scavenge the Stars a light and enjoyable read.”—Kirkus

From rising star desi author Tara Sim comes a new YA fantasy duology pitched as a biracial, gender-swapped Count of Monte Cristo.

In Scavenge the Stars, Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, but fears her rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she's been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of Moray, where old-world opu- lence and desperate gamblers collide. Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she's plotting to bring down-the more she uncovers about the truth of her past.

In Revenge the Dark, Amaya realizes survival is not enough. She has people counting on her now; counting on her for protection, for leadership, for vengeance. And after escaping Moray by the skin of her teeth, she's determined to track down the man who betrayed her and her friends—Cayo Mercado. He has lost everything. Everything except his beloved sister. But with no way to afford the treatment for her deadly illness, Cayo has no choice but to join Amaya in uncovering the mystery of the counterfeit currency, the fever, and how his father was in- volved in their creation. Through glittering galas, dazzling trickery, and thrilling heists, Cayo and Amaya will learn that the corruption in Moray goes far deeper than they know, and in the end the only people they can trust are each other.

Tara Sim is a YA fantasy author who can typically be found wandering the wilds of the Bay Area, California. She is the author of the Timekeeper trilogy, which has been featured on Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, and various media outlets. When she's not chasing cats or lurking in bookstores, she writes books about magic, clocks, and explosives. North America: Little, Brown Agent: Stephen Barbara Scavenge the Stars (January 2020) Editor: Hannah Milton Ravage the Dark (March 2021) Format: Book 27 France: Bayard

Krystal Sutherland HOUSE OF HOLLOW

“Stepping nimbly among the liminal spaces and eerie real-world haunts of our heroine’s cipher- sister, this haunting modern fairy tale will wrap you up like a glittering fog, before going for your throat.” —Melissa Albert, author of The Hazel Wood

A dark, twisty modern fairytale where three sisters discover they are not exactly all that they seem and evil things really do go bump in the night.

Iris Hollow and her two older sisters are unquestionably strange. Ever since they disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month a later with no memory of what happened to them, odd, eerie occurrences seem to follow in their wake. And they're changing. First, their dark hair turned white. Then, their blue eyes slowly turned black. They have insatiable appetites yet never gain weight. People find them disturbingly intoxicating, unbearably beautiful, and inexplicably dangerous.

But now, ten years later, seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow is doing all she can to fit in and grad- uate high school on time—something her two famously glamourous globe-trotting older sisters, Grey and Vivi, never managed to do. But when Grey goes missing, leaving behind bi- zarre clues, Iris and Vivi are left to trace her last few days. They aren't the only ones looking for her though. As they brush against the supernatural they realize that the story they've been told about their past is unraveling and the world that returned them seemingly unharmed ten years ago, might just be calling them home.

Krystal Sutherland's first novel, Our Chemical Hearts, was published in over 20 countries and made the American Booksellers Association's Indie Next List in 2016. The film adaptation, pro- duced by Amazon Studios, stars Lili Reinhart (Riverdale) and Austin Abrams (Euphoria); Suth- erland served as an executive producer on the project. Her second novel, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares, has been optioned for adaptation by Yellow Bird. Originally from Austral- ia, she has lived on four continents and currently calls London home. North America: Putnam (April 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton ANZ: Penguin Australia Editor: Stacey Barney UK: Hot Key Format: Book France: Editions Rageot Italy: Rizzoli 28 Russia: AST Publishers

Darcy Woods SMOKE

"Bold, propulsive, and utterly incandescent, Smoke is a book that will burn in your heart and mind long after you finish reading. Darcy Woods has created a story that crackles with soul and characters who feel like family. A gripping exploration of loyalty, facing the past, and embracing the future." —Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts, Last Girl Lied To, and All Eyes On Her

Sixteen year-old Honor Augustine never set out to become a felon. After all, she’s the embodi- ment of her name as an academic all-star, avid recycler, and dedicated daughter to her PTSD- afflicted father. Coloring inside the lines is what keeps Honor’s chaotic existence orderly.

But for the sake of family, some lines must be crossed.

When she discovers her father’s VA benefits drying up, coupled with a terrifying bank letter threatening the family’s greenhouse business—Honor vows to find a solution. She just doesn’t expect to find it on the dry erase board of English lit.

Nature’s first green is gold.

The quote by Frost should’ve been as innocuous as the beige walls of the classroom. Instead, it becomes the seed of an idea. An idea that—with patience and care—could germinate into a means of survival. Maybe marijuana could be more than the medicinal plant that helps quiet her father’s demons. Maybe, it could save them all. What lengths we will go to for the people we love?

Darcy Woods has held an eclectic mix of professions—from refueling helicopters for the US Army to recharging bodies and spirits at a spa—but her most beloved career is being an author. She is a happily-ever-after addict and finds all things metaphysical endlessly fascinating. She lives in Michigan with her husband and cat. She is the author of Golden Heart award– winning Summer of Supernovas. World English: Crown Books for Young Readers (June 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton Editor: Emily Easton Format: Manuscript

Jeff Zentner IN THE WILD LIGHT

“Vitally redefines friendship as something that must be protected, sacrificed for, and tended to with wis- dom, patience, and love—and, to our luck, rendered in Zentner’s gem-like sentences.” —Ocean Vuong, New York Times bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

For every way the world tries to kill you, it gives you a way to survive.

Life in small town Tennessee has never been easy. Cash already lost his mother to an opioid addiction, and his Papaw who raised him is slipping away one labored breath at a time. But loss also led him to Delaney Doyle, and she’s been his salvation. The trouble is that canoeing on the river and hiking the mountains might be all he needs to fill his soul, but Delaney is meant for so much more.

Then Delaney makes a scientific discovery that gets them both full rides at an elite boarding school, forcing Cash to make the tough choice to leave behind his place of the heart to support his person of the heart. But will the decision to go to Middleford Academy be the thing that finally breaks Cash, or will it be the making of him?

Jeff Zentner is the author of the New York Times Notable Book The Serpent King and Goodbye Days. He has won the William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, the In- ternational Literacy Association Award, and the Westchester Fiction Award, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and UKLA, and was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize and Indies Choice Award. He was a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and an Indies Introduce pick. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee is his ode to best friends who make things together. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son. North America: Crown Books for Young Readers (August 2021) Agent: Charlie Olsen UK: Andersen Press Editor: Emily Easton Format: Manuscript

Middle Grade

Ethan M. Aldridge THE LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE

Praise for Estranged:

“[F]un, daring, and dark...with themes and art that fall into the realm of Neil Gaiman, Michael Ende, and Jim Henson. Coupled with the beautifully toned watercolor art, the interdependence of and tension between the two protagonists makes this book stand out.” —Publishers Weekly

Prince Alto dreams of being a hero like his mother, the Lady Brightblade. Her legend was wo- ven into stories by a magical bard, and Alto, who has been learning the bard's magic, wants to have his own adventure.

Ill at ease with royal life and eager to see life outside the palace, he runs away and finds himself meeting new friends and encountering new and exciting magic. But Alto discovers that there are dangers threatening the kingdom that he might not be able to handle alone—and being a hero is harder than the stories make it seem.

Perfect for fans of Molly Knox Ostertag and Noelle Stevenson, The Legend of Brightblade is another gorgeous and appealing graphic novel from the creator of the acclaimed Estranged series.

Ethan M. Aldridge is a New York Times bestselling illustrator and author. He was raised in a very small town in Utah. Growing up, his favorite things to draw were ghosts, monsters, and whatever dinosaur he liked most that week. He now does more or less the same thing for a living. Ethan lives in New York City with his husband, Matthew, and their dog, Kitsune. Visit him online at www.ethanaldridge.weebly.com North America: HarperCollins Children’s (April 2022) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Andrew Eliopolis Format: Manuscript

Betsy Bird & David Small LONG ROAD TO THE CIRCUS

"Do not read this book unless you are planning to run away and join the circus. Beautifully told by one of our best librarians. And just as beautifully, and inevitably, illustrated by David Small." —Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Children's Literature

In the tradition of award-winning, illustrated novels Pax and The One and Only Ivan, Long Road to the Circus is a girl-empowering, funny, and fast-paced historical adventure by award- winning writer and librarian Betsy Bird, and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small.

Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles is tired of summers filled with chores on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan, and desperate to see the world. When her wayward uncle moves back home to the farm, only to skip his chores every morning for mysterious reasons, Suzy decides to find out what he's up to once and for all. And that's when she meets legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her ostriches. Before long, Suzy finds herself caught-up in the fast- paced, hilarious world of ostrich riding, a rollicking adventure that just might be her ticket out of Burr Oak.

Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library, and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. Betsy reviews for Kirkus, served on the 2007 Newbery Award committee, and her children's literature blog, A Fuse #8 Production, is hosted by School Library Journal. Her books include Funny Girl, an anthology of humorous stories, and the picture books Giant Dance Party and The Great Santa Stakeout. Betsy was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband and offspring. Visit her at her blog, a Fuse #8 Production on slj.com, or follow her on twitter @FuseEight.

David Small won the Caldecott Medal in 2001 for So You Want to Be President and received two Caldecott honor awards. He is the author/illustrator of Imogene's Antlers, Ruby Mae Has Something to Say, and Stitches, a graphic novel memoir, which was a National Book Award finalist. He lives with his wife in Michigan in the very house in which Long Walk to the Circus is set. Visit him online at davidsmallbooks.com. North America: Knopf Books for Young Readers/PRH (October 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Erin Clarke Format: Manuscript 33

Gabrielle K. Byrne THE EDGE OF STRANGE HOLLOW

"A wonderfully imaginative tale filled with friendship and adventure—the magic of the Grimwood charms every page." —Heather Kassner, author of The Plentiful Darkness

Welcome to the Strange Hollow. Beware the Grimwood.

Poppy Sunshine isn’t like everyone else in Strange Hollow. She’s not afraid of the Grimwood, home to magical creatures like shape-shifters, fairies, witches, and even a three-headed dog.

Banned from the wood by her parents, Poppy longs to learn everything about it and imagines joining her mother and father as they hunt the forest’s cursed magical objects. So when her only family disappears on a routine expedition, she and her friends must break every rule to save them. But Poppy soon discovers that things in the Grimwood are rarely what they seem...

And the monsters who took her parents may not be monsters at all.

Gabrielle K. Byrne lives in the tangled wilds of the Pacific Northwest, where she writes fantasy for kids of all ages. Gabby loves rain, marine biology, Thai food, and naming pets (even ones she doesn’t own). When she’s not writing, she can be found fishing spineless beasties out of the Salish Sea with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of Rise of the Dragon Moon and The Edge of Strange Hollow. ANZ: Pan Macmillan Australia (May 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton Editor: Grace Kendall Format: Manuscript

Karen Foxlee DRAGON SKIN

Praise for Lenny’s Book of Everything:

"Holy Batman, this is a gorgeous, heartbreaking, heartwarming book." —R.J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder

How to save a dragon: 1) Assemble equipment. Water, Weet-Bix, sugar, syringe, sticky tape, scissors. 2) Believe in everything.

Pip never wants to go home. She likes to sit at the waterhole at dusk and remember Mika, her best friend. At home her mother's not the same since her boyfriend moved in. They don't laugh anymore and Pip has to go to bed early, turn off her light and pretend she doesn't exist. When she finds a half-dead creature at the waterhole, everything changes. She knows she has to save this small dragon and return it to where it comes from. But how?

A story about surviving and saving those you love from the multi-award-winning author of Lenny's Book of Everything.

Karen Foxlee’s writing is internationally acclaimed and she has been the recipient of numer- ous awards. The Anatomy of Wings (Pan Macmillan, Knopf, Macmillan UK) won the Common- wealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book: Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy (Pan Macmillan, Knopf, Macmillan UK) Karen's first middle-grade novel was shortlisted for the E.B. White Read Aloud Award; A Most Magical Girl (Allen & Unwin, Knopf, Bonnier) won the Readings Children's Fiction Prize in 2017 and was CBCA shortlisted the same year; Lenny's Book of Eve- rything (Allen & Unwin, Knopf, Pushkin Press) won multiple awards including the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the Indies Book Award, the Prime Minister's Literary Award and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Karen lives in South East Queensland. She grew up in an outback mining town and still dreams of walking barefoot along the dry river which is the setting for this novel. She can be found at https://www.instagram.com/karenfoxleeauthor/? hl=en ANZ: Allen & Unwin (October 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton UK: Pushkin Press Editor: Anna McFarlane Format: Manuscript 35

Minh Lê ENLIGHTEN ME

From bestselling author of picture books including Lift and Drawn Together Minh Lê comes En- lighten Me, a middle-grade graphic novel memoir about a young boy who goes to a weeklong meditation retreat. The young protagonist, who has been facing some issues at home and at school (related to his inability to speak up when necessary), is happy to get away from it all. While a lot of the other kids struggle with not being able to speak, this silent retreat is a para- dise for our painfully shy introvert. Without the burden of talking and socializing, he is free to lose himself in his imagination… even when he’s supposed to be meditating.

While it is a silent retreat, there is one exception each day for children: every day a Buddhist nun holds a special story time. Here she tells the kids stories about the Buddha, covering his life story as well as the Jataka tales which are stories about the Buddha's previous lives as different beings/animals. During these sessions, the boy loses himself in the stories … As the week continues, the themes of these stories start to bleed over into the main character's real life and help him process the issues that have been dogging him back at home. By the end of the week, he emerges from the silent retreat having found his voice.

Minh Lê is the author of the picture books Lift (a Washington Post Best Book of the Year) and Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature) illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, Let Me Finish! (named an NPR Best Book of 2016) illustrated by Isabel Roxas, and The Perfect Seat illustrated by Gus Gordon (all published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). He also wrote Green Lantern: Legacy, a middle grade graphic novel (illustrated by Andie Tong) for DC Comics. In addition to writing books, he serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books and has written for a variety of publications, including the New York Times, The Horn Book, NPR, and HuffPost. World English: Little Brown Graphic Publishing (Fall 2022) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Andrea Colvin Format: Manuscript (September) 36

Jessica Miller THE REPUBLIC OF BIRDS

“This book has so many things I love: maps, strange magic, living folklore, talking animals, history books, impossible challenges and a redoubtable heroine who mistakenly regards herself as untalented and unlovely, when she is quite the opposite. I couldn’t have enjoyed reading this more, it’s an absolute joy.” —Leanne Hall, author of the Text Prize-winning novel This is Shyness

A young witch must save her sister from evil birds in this masterful middle-grade fantasy

In the land of Tsaretsvo, civil war has divided the human kingdom from the Republic of Birds. Magic is outlawed, and young witches are sent to a mysterious boarding school, from which no one has returned. Olga and her family live a life of dull privilege in the capital until her father displeases the tyrannical tsarina. The family is sent off into exile at the Imperial Center for Avian Observation, an isolated shack near the Republic of Birds.

Unlike the rest of her family, Olga doesn’t particularly mind their strange new life. She never fit into aristocratic society as well as her perfect younger sister, Mira. What does worry Olga is her blossoming magical abilities. If anyone found out, they’d send her away. But then Mira is kidnapped by the birds, and Olga has no choice but to enter the forbidden Republic, a dangerous world full of iagas, talking birds, and living dreams. To navigate the Republic and save her sister, she’ll need her wits, her cunning—and even her magic.

Jessica Miller is a children’s writer from Brisbane, currently living in Germany. Her first novel, Elizabeth and Zenobia, was shortlisted for the Text Prize. North America: Abrams (April 2021) Agent: Catherine Drayton UK/ANZ: Text (March 2020) Editor: Erica Finkel Germany: Thienemann Format: Book

Laura Amy Schlitz AMBER AND CLAY

“Schlitz...hops from one style to another with tremendous skill. The story is told partly in verse and partly in prose; the voice alternates between first person and third person, with the gods — Hermes in particular — stepping in as occasional choruses to the action.” —The New York Times Book Review

A virtuoso performance in verse—and a profoundly original epic from the Newbery Medal- winning author of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Perfect for history, mythology, and fantasy fans.

Welcome to the harsh, mesmerizing world of Ancient Greece as only genius storyteller Laura Amy Schlitz can conjure it. In a warlike land of wind and sunlight, “ringed by a restless sea,” live Rhaskos and Melisto, spiritual twins with little in common beyond the violent and mysterious forces that dictate their lives. A Thracian slave in a Greek household, Rhaskos is as common as clay, a stable boy worth less than a donkey, much less a horse. Wrenched from his mother at a tender age, he nurtures in secret, aided by Socrates, his passions for art and philos- ophy. Melisto is a spoiled aristocrat, a girl as precious as amber but willful and wild. She’ll marry and be tamed—the curse of all high-borne girls—but risk her life for a season first to serve Artemis, goddess of the hunt.

Bound by destiny, Rhaskos and Melisto—Amber and Clay—never meet in the flesh. By the time they do, one of them is a ghost. But the thin line between life and death is just one bound- ary their unlikely friendship crosses. It takes an army of snarky gods and fearsome goddesses, slaves and masters, mothers and philosophers to help shape their story into a gorgeously dis- tilled, symphonic tour de force.

Blending verse, prose, and illustrated archeological “artifacts,” this is a tale vividly of its time that transcends time, an indelible reminder of the power of language to illuminate the over- and underworlds of human history as only the best poetry can.

Laura Amy Schlitz is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, the Newbery Honor Book and New York Times bestseller Splen- dors and Glooms, and several other books for young readers. Laura Amy Schlitz is a school librarian at Park School in Baltimore as well as a writer, and lives in Maryland. 38 North America: Candlewick Press (March 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Liz Bicknell Format: Book

Lindsey Stoddard BEA IS FOR BLENDED

“Stoddard’s characters are fully formed in her latest book, and the themes of family and equality run throughout.” —Kirkus

Girl power scores a goal in this uplifting story of teamwork, new beginnings, and coming together to fight for what’s right—perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

Bea and her mom have always been a two-person team. But now her mom is marrying Wen- dell, and their team is growing by three boys, two dogs, and a cat.

Finding her place in her new blended family may be tough, but when Bea finds out her school might not get the all-girls soccer team they’d been promised, she learns that the bigger the team, the stronger the fight—and that for the girls to get what they deserve, they’re going to need a squad behind them.

Lauded as “remarkable” by the New York Times Book Review, Lindsey Stoddard’s heartfelt stories continue to garner critical acclaim, and her latest novel will have fans new and old rooting for Bea as she discovers that building a new life doesn’t mean leaving her old one behind.

Lindsey Stoddard was born and raised in Vermont. She spent twelve years living in NYC and taught middle school English at MS 324 in the neighborhood of Washington Heights. She recently moved back to Vermont with her husband and two children. She is the author of Brave Like That, Right as Rain, and Just Like Jackie. North America: HarperCollins Children’s (May 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Erica Sussman Format: Manuscript

Picture Books

Lisa Graff & Christophe Jacques MR. WALKER STEPS OUT

Praise for Far Away:

“A genuinely moving and memorable story." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Mr. Walker, the human-shaped figure who lives in the traffic signal box and tells pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street, decides to leave his post and experience all that he has been missing, in this sweet and satisfying tale about finding one's place in the world.

Mr. Walker works hard. Every day, he stands in the window of his boxy little house on the corner of Broadway and Main, letting people know when it's safe to cross the street. Usually that is enough. But after a while, watching the world go by without him makes him feel small and unimportant. So he decides to jump down from his box and experience for himself all the wonderful things he’s seen from his post. With each new adventure, he feels bigger and more important. But after enjoying all the wonderful things that the city has to offer, he starts to wonder how his little corner is getting on without him. Then something happens . . . something big. And Mr. Walker wonders if it might be time to go home, to where he's needed most.

Lisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of Far Away, The Great Tree- house War, A Clatter of Jars, Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, A Tangle of Knots, Double Dog Dare, Sophie Simon Solves Them All, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, and The Thing About Georgie. Lisa’s books have been named to more than seventy state award lists and have been touted as best books of the year by booksellers, teachers, and librarians. A Tangle of Knots was longlisted for the National Book Award in 2013. Lisa Graff lives with her family just outside of Philadelphia.

Christophe Jacques is a Belgian illustrator who has worked with illustration clients all over the world. He lives and works in Flanders, Belgium. Instagram: @atelier_la_fermette North America: Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (August 2021) Agent: Stephen Barbara Editor: Jennifer Greene Format: Manuscript

Lesley-Anne Green MR. MOLE MOVES IN Juniper Hollow #2

“Enticing felted animal figures, dressed in sweaters, skirts, and other clothing, welcome Mr. Mole.” —Kirkus

Mr. Mole is new in town, and the critters of Juniper Hollow aren't sure what to make of his odd behavior. But one observant neighbor lends a helping hand, demonstrating that a little kindness can go a long way. This cozy story features adorable felted art and gentle situational humor.

Mr. Mole is a very well-mannered fellow. He greets fence posts politely, he compliments wa- termelons and he generously gives children erasers to eat.

The critters of Juniper Hollow are confused, but they befriend him anyway. After all, maybe this is just how things are done back in Moletown . . . and in Juniper Hollow, strangers are just friends waiting to happen!

This hilarious story of compassion, friendship and wacky misunderstandings will tickle readers, and the fuzzy artwork will delight fans big and small.

Lesley-Anne Green is a textile artist who creates her adorable creatures using wool, thread, fabric and love. She lives in Toronto with her family, including an incorrigible pug named Lo- la. North America: Tundra (April 2021) Agent: Charlie Olsen Editor: Samantha Swenson Format: Book

Previous Foreign Publishers

Ethan M. Aldridge Leopold/Holland THE CHANGELING KING Mano Konyvek/Hungary Gyldendal Norsk/Norway Noura Books/Indonesia ESTRANGED De Agostini/Italy Il Castoro /Italy Jaguar/Poland Océano/Mexico Storia Books/Romania Gyldendal Norsk/Norway Clever/Russia Epsilon/Turkey Zeleny kocur/Slovakia Planeta/Spain Gabrielle K. Byrne Modernista/Sweden RISE OF THE DRAGON MOON The Eastern Publishing Co/Taiwan Exmo/Russia Gus Gordon Felicity Castagna THE PERFECT SEAT NO MORE BOATS Gallimard Jeunesse/France Europa/UK Knesebeck/Germany Acme/Taiwan Zoraida Cordova SOMEWHERE ELSE LABYRINTH LOST PRH/ANZ Planeta/Spain Shanghai Dook/China Mijade/France Cath Crowley Knesebeck/Germany GRAFFITI MOON Gongjackso/Korea Hodder & Stoughton/UK Eastern Publishing/Taiwan Valentina/Brazil HERMAN & ROSIE Orange Books/Bulgaria Shanghai Dook/China Albin Michel/France Gallmiard Jeunesse/France Carlsen/Germany Kindertheater Weitendorf/Germany Papadopoulos/Greece Kinneret/Israel Moon/Holland Giunti/Italy Noura Books/Indonesia Gongjackso/Korea Mondadori/Italy Corimbo/Spain Jaguar/Poland Storia Books/Romania Lisa Graff AST/Russia A TANGLE OF KNOTS RBA Libros/Spain Zhejiang Literature & Arts/China WORDS IN DEEP BLUE Ueberreuter Verlag/Germany Hodder & Stoughton/UK Yediot/Israel Vergara & Riba/Brazil De Agostini/Italy Orange Books/Bulgaria Seedbook/Korea Beijing Tianxue Culture/China Pegasus/Turkey Rahva Raamat/Estonia Univers Poche/France Carlsen/Germany

Previous Foreign Publishers

Sara Holland Luithingh Sijthoff/Holland EVERMORE Longanesi & Co/Italy Hachette Children’s Group/UK Circulo de Lectore/Spain Egmont/Bulgaria Albatros/Czech Republic Malla Nunn Bayard/France WHEN THE GROUND IS HARD Friedrich Oetinger/Germany Argument/Germany Blossom Books/Holland BLESSED ARE THE DEAD Maxim/Hungary Xoum/Australia Noura Books/Indonesia Argument/Germany Jaguar/Poland Siruela/Spain Nemira/Romania LET THE DEAD LIE AST/Russia Xoum/Australia Ediciones Urano S.A.U./Spain Argument/Germany EVERLESS De Bezige Bij/Holland Hachette Children’s Group/UK Editions des Deux Terres/France Morro Branco/Brazil Siruela/Spain Egmont/Bulgaria A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE Albatros/Czech Republic Xoum/Australia Bayard/France Editions des Deux Terres/France Friedrich Oetinger/Germany Argument/Germany Blossom Books/Holland De Bezige Bij/Holland Maxim/Hungary Sifriat Ma’Ariv/Israel Noura Books/Indonesia Siruela/Spain Jaguar/Poland Nemira/Romania Farah Rishi AST/Russia I HOPE YOU GET THIS MESSAGE Ediciones Urano S.A.U./Spain Univers Poche/France Pegasus Yayincilik/Turkey Maxim/Hungary Epsilon Yayincilik/Turkey Marti Leimbach DANIEL ISN’T TALKING Andrea Robertson (Prev. Cremer) McClelland & Stewart/Canada BLOODROSE Salani/Italy Little, Brown/UK Almuzara/Spain Record/Brazil LOVE AND HOUSES Euromedia/Czech Republic Macmillan/UK Tellerup/Denmark Rowohlt/Germany Gallimard/France SUN DIAL STREET Egmont/Germany Rowohlt/Germany Livanis/Greece Editorial Debate/Spain Boekerij/Holland DYING YOUNG Egmont/Hungary Presses de la Renaissance/France Keter/Israel Rowohlt/Germany De Agostini/Italy

Previous Foreign Publishers

Alma Littera/Lithuania Noon/Persian Ikar/Slovakia Jaguar/Poland Springly Seasons/Taiwan Objectiva Portugal/Portugal Amarin/Thailand Editura Art/Romania Pegasus Yayincilik/Turkey Alfaguara Grupo Editorial/Spain WOLFSBANE Subhavi/Sri Lanka Little, Brown/UK Crown/Taiwan Record/Brazil Marti/Turkey Hunan/China Euromedia/Czech Republic Laura Amy Schlitz Tellerup/Denmark PRINCESS CORA AND CROCODILE Gallimard/France Walker/UK Egmont/Germany New Buds/China Livanis/Greece Fukuinkan Shoten /Japan Boekerij/Holland Editora Art/Romania Egmont/Hungary Lapa Publishers/South Africa Keter/Israel THE HIRED GIRL De Agostini/Italy Walker/UK Random House/Korea Sejong/Korea Norma/Latin America Zero a Oito/Portugal Alma Littera/Lithuania SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS Amber/Poland Walker/UK Litera/Romania Aurora/China Astrel/Russia Thienemann/Germany Ikar/Slovakia Giunti Editor/Italy Ediciones BSA/Spain Sejong/Korea Springly Seasons/Taiwan Commonwealth/Taiwan Amarin/Thailand Altin Kitaplar /Turkey Pegasus Yayincilik/Turkey THE NIGHT FAIRY Walker/UK Gavriel Savit Gakken/Japan ANNA AND THE SWALLOW MAN Random House/UK Eliot Schrefer Editora Rocco/Brazil GLAMOROUS DISASTERS Kragozor/Bulgaria Muza/Poland Fanbooks/Catalan AST/Russia Shanghai Dook/China Paseka/Czech Republic Lindsey Stoddard Robert Laffont/France RIGHT AS RAIN CBT Verlag/Germany Porteghal Publications/Iran Psichogios/Greece JUST LIKE JACKIE AmboAnthos/Holland Beijing Dipper Publishing Co./China Dani Books/Israel Porteghal Publications/Iran Sperling & Kupfer/Italy

Krystal Sutherland Marti/Turkey A SEMI-DEFINITIVE LIST OF WORST NIGHT- FORS/Ukraine MARES Hot Key Books/UK Darcy Woods PRH/ANZ SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS Globo/Brazil Fischer/Germany Euromedia/Czech Republic Mondadori/Italy Lindhardt & Ringhof/Denmark Urano/Spain Rahva Raamat/Estonia Pegasus/Turkey Univers Poche/France Blanvalet/Germany Jeff Zentner Leopold/Holland RAYNE AND DELILAH’S MIDNITE MATINEE Armchair Publishing/Israel Andersen Press/UK Rizzoli/Italy Companhia das Letras/Brazil Gyldendal Norsk/Norway GOODBYE DAYS Dolnoslaskie/Poland Andersen Press/UK Storia Books/Romania Companhia das Letras/Brazil AST/Russia Tundra/Canada Ikar/Slovakia Albatros Media a.s./Czech Republic Editorial Planeta/Spain Univers Poche/France Bonnier Carlsen/Sweden Haru Publishing/Indonesia OUR CHEMICAL HEARTS Armchair Publishing/Israel Hot Key Books/UK Rizzoli/Italy Penguin Australia/ANZ Jaguar/Poland Globo/Brazil AST Publishers/Russia Enthusiast/Bulgaria Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial/Spain Editorial Planeta/Catalan The Eastern Publishing Co./Taiwan Sonatina/Croatia Ithaki/Turkey Euromedia/Czech Republic THE SERPENT KING Lindhardt & Ringhof/Denmark Andersen Press/UK Paikese Kirjastus/Estonia Libros del Nuevo Extremo/Argentina Univers Poche/France Companhia das Letras/Brazil Blanvalet/Germany Tundra/Canada Leopold/Holland Host & Son/Rosinante/Denmark Maxim/Hungary Pocket Jeunesse/France Haru/Indonesia Carlsen Verlag GmbH/Germany Armchair Publishing/Israel Konyvmolykepzo Kiado/Hungary Rizzoli/Italy Abooata/Iran Balto Leidybos/Lithuania Rizzoli/Italy Gyldendal Norsk/Norway Jaguar/Poland Dolnoslaskie/Poland Editura Art/Romania Porto Editora/Portugal AST Publishers/Russia Publica/Romania Publik Praktikum/Serbia AST/Russia Ithaki/Turkey Ikar/Slovakia Editorial Planeta/Spain Bonnier Carlsen/Sweden